Onward, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Onward, Mississippi
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 Onward, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Onward, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Sharkey |
| Elevation | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
39159
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| Area code(s) | 662 |
| GNIS feature ID | 675291 |
Onward is a small, unincorporated community located in Sharkey County, Mississippi. It's a place where two important roads, Mississippi Highway 1 and U.S. Route 61, come together. Onward is about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Cary and 9 miles (14.5 km) north of Valley Park.
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History of Onward
Onward had its own post office for many years. It was open from about 1879 until 1975. For a long time, the post office was even located inside the local Onward Store. It eventually closed because fewer people lived in the community.
Early Location of the Community
An old map from 1873 shows Onward in a slightly different spot. It was located about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) west of where it is today. This earlier location was near where Black Bayou and Deer Creek meet. The community likely moved to its current spot to avoid flooding from these waterways.
The Story of the Teddy Bear
One of the most famous things about Onward is its special connection to the creation of the Teddy Bear. This popular stuffed toy was inspired by an event that happened nearby.
President Roosevelt's Bear Hunt
In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt, who was the United States President at the time, went on a bear hunt. This hunt took place at a nearby area called Smedes Plantation. During the hunt, some people captured a bear for the President to shoot.
A President's Kind Act
However, President Roosevelt refused to shoot the captive bear. He felt it was not fair to hunt an animal that was already trapped. This act of kindness became a big news story. Political cartoonists, who draw pictures to comment on current events, drew cartoons about it.
How the Teddy Bear Got Its Name
These cartoons and the story of President Roosevelt's refusal to shoot the bear inspired a toy maker. The toy maker decided to create a new stuffed bear toy. They named it the "Teddy Bear" in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose nickname was "Teddy." A special historical marker at the Onward Store reminds everyone of this famous story.
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Onward Store
